She pulled the trigger with all her force. The gunshot went and pierced his
head. He fell down in the pool of blood. The sound of the shot was still
ringing in her ears. It was so loud that she had turned momentarily deaf. Her
knees wobbled like jelly. She collapsed on the ground, shivering.
She took off her gloves and stuffed them into her bag. She looked around
for any sign of her belongings. She smiled at her planning tactics. Nobody will
ever find out who killed this bastard. Nobody. She had alibis everywhere. Even
if they did, she wouldn't be having any regrets. She wanted justice, she got
it. She drove at a maddening speed to her mansion. She took a bath and wore a
black dress. She bought two bunches of fresh roses and made way to the
cementary.
She put down the first bunch on a grave covered with mosses and ferns.
"Your love for gardening will never go away. Right?"
She placed the flowers and sat next to the grave.
"You know what I killed him. I am not afraid. But you know I am still
angry. I failed as a mother. Hmmm... It is a bit lonely without you. There are
times when I want to wrap my arms around you and feel your warmth. I want to
pull your tie and look into your eyes and romance with you. How stupid am I?
When you were there I rarely looked up from my file. It is pointless to say all
this but know that I miss you."
She ruffled the grass on the top of his grave. The greenery fed from her
tears . She took a deep breath and placed the other bunch on the grave next to
it.
"How is my little princess doing? Mia I miss you beta. You could have
just told mumma once. I would have left everything. Why did you not trust
mumma? I know I ask you this question everytime but I need an answer Mia. Mumma
requires an answer. Mumma did not spare that man and remember I gave him the
worst death that was possible. Had you told me once I would have still killed
him but atleast you would have been with me. Your room feels so quiet. Nobody
listens to rock songs. Leave it today is a happy day , no sad thoughts. See
what mumma has brought for you. Red roses. You love them na? Even your dad did.
Mia is there anything else that you are hiding from me? "
She broke into sobs. She felt a hand on her shoulder. An old lady smiled to
her.
"It will be fine. They are with God. He'll take good care of
them", she spoke with love in her voice.
She stood up. And went towards the gate. She saw the old lady waiting for
something.
"Do you need a ride back home?"
"Well that would be lovely. Just drop me by the church."
She sank in the sofa staring at the portrait of her once happy family. Her
husband and her daughter. Her husband died in a car accident few years ago. Mia
couldn't bear the loss of her father.
She became workaholic. She spent most of her time in meetings and files.
She knew Mia needed her but she also knew that she needed to provide her with a
comfortable future. Unable to cope up with the pressure Mia was found hanging
from the fan.
She was shattered. Everyone blamed it on her father's death and the
negligent behaviour of the mother. If only she knew that Mia would take such a
step. Many at times she would come late and find Mia sleeping blissfully in her
room. She felt defeated. By destiny and kept on blaming it on herself.
One fine evening while she was cleaning Mia's wardrobe she found a diary.
23 March
He again came and patted me on my head. His hand slithered on my back and
made its way inside my top. I wanted to move away but he held me tight. His
devilish smile. I wanted mum to come early but I knew she wouldn't. He kept
touching me again and again.
She flipped the pages.
27 March
He was standing at the door. He did not let me leave. He pushed me down...
The rest of the words were blurred perhaps the ink diluted with her
daughter's tears.
14 April
I can't take it anymore. I think I am pregnant. How will I tell mum? I
missed my periods. I searched online. What will all my friends think? But one
day I will take revenge Mr. Manorath Kripashankar. I will.
She closed the diary. Her daughter was a victim of sexual abuse.
"Manorath? How could he do it? I trusted him so much."
Manorath was a political leader in the district who helped her when her
husband died. He was like her elder brother. But then her daughter had to pay
for the trust she put into a person who deserved none.
She vowed revenge. "Mia was alone Manorath so am I but this time
you'll know what a woman is capable of doing."
She started making advances towards Manorath on the pretense of lonliness.
Manorath being a lewd pig fell for it instantly. She spent months planning her
revenge skillfully without any flaws. She awaited the final day like a tigress
awaiting her final kill.
Manorath poured a glass of wine for her.
"Ah! You look so lovely. But these gloves don't match the dress. Some
new fashion?"
She smiled. She lured him in to a weekend escapade without bringing it in
knowledge of anyone. In an isolated farm house they dined together.
He started coughing violently grasping his throat.
"I can't breathe."
His chest heaved and beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
"Feeling suffocated Manorath", she questioned and then laughed
hysterically.
"What the hell are you upto? Call the ambulance."
"My daughter felt the same everytime your slithering motives and moves
progressed in her direction. Don't worry it wouldn't last long. You'll die in
like half an hour. It is a slow poison. Till then let me enjoy seeing you
wither and dance in pain. You spineless man. Mia was just 15. You could have
got any prostitute on your bed, why my daughter? I trusted you but then trust doesn't always pay, does it? You did trust me as well."
All color drained from his face. Nothing was said. He knew he wouldn't be
spared.
He started frantically moving towards the alarm board. Panicking she took
out the gun and shot. This was not in her plan but then he had to die either
ways. She sighed.
"Life isn't fair. Someday we all have to pay for the sins we commit. I
loved my family. But then I never thought I'll get no time to spend with them.
How effortlessly I believed that I'll spend the rest of my life with them. Life
is cruel. Life is smart. It teaches you all the lessons the harsh way."
"Mia I am sorry."
